Affiliate Programs that Aren't Rated...

Has anyone had experience promoting affiliate programs that aren't rated anywhere? They're related to your niche, they have a following and are established, but as a newbie i'm a little scared to engage them without using more trackable results (gravity, etc).

Do I stick with ClickBank rated affiliates, THEN venture out? Do I combine both to see what happens?

A lot of gurus will tell you that competition is good because the market has been tested to have a demand. This is where the money is. So follow the money! However, that is not to say that you cannot or should not promote other products that are not rated just like you explained. If the product is new then it will definitely wont have any rating yet, even if it is a very good product. Time will tell whether the product is really good - because the market/customers are the ones who determine how good a product is.

I would suggest that you promote the ones that have a gravity of above 30 and have a commission % of 75% and a minimum of $17 pay per sale just like what Mark teaches. When you get the hang of it you can always test untested products.